Roland DG Grand Print Event Highlights Next-Level Systems

Monza, Italy – A group of roughly 300 industry professionals, members of the press, Roland DG employees, and European, UK, and North African distributor partners, converged at the historic Monza Autodromo – known as the “Temple of Speed” – to gain expanded view of the company, learn about two recently-released printing systems, and learn from the technological spirit of Formula 1 auto racing. And, whether printing or racing were the topic of discussion, the concept of speed loomed large.

Making Moves with Technology

Leading a series of presentations, presented in English and live-translated into French, German, Italian, and Spanish, Gregory Bilsen, CEO EMEA at Roland DG EMEA , set the stage, stating that in Formula 1, the real factor for success is a mix of the machine/team and the driver, with the necessity for strong interaction between the two. “The better we work together,” he said, indicating the need for interaction between the OEM and its users and distributor network, “the better we can collaborate.”

From top: Gregory Bilsen, Kohei Tanabe, Andrew Oransky, Paul Willems, all of Roland DG.

In a presentation outlining the state and direction of business for Roland DG, Kohei Tanabe, president and CEO, shared that a defining mission for the company is, “to empower creativity and excitement worldwide.” He said 2023 was a year that delivered for the company more flexibility, more speed, and a bolder approach. He highlighting a drive toward nimbleness without fear of failure. “In 2025,” Tanabe said, the company would demonstrate “a giant step forward.”

Andrew Oransky, managing executive officer global sales and marketing, shared that Roland’s TrueVIS and DGXPRESS printer lines, introduced two years ago, have expanded to include solvent and UV ink options.

The newly-introduced TrueVIZ XP-640, he said, “fits a place that meets customer needs. We are very excited…” Asked if the introduction of this new system represents Roland DG entering a new category, Oransky said yes, but stressed it is not at the expense of the categories the company currently serves. Expanding on the company’s products, he added that software continues to be a growing space, primarily to support Roland’s technologies.

New Systems Explained

Paul Willems, director project management and business development EMEA, dug deep into the company’s new printers, providing both detail and context.

He said the TrueVIZ XP-640, thanks in part to the inclusion of staggered print head arrays, is, “at least twice as fast as the current TrueVIZ BG3 printer,” and can offer speeds of up to 819 sq.ft./hr. The printer can be configured in double-CMYK to maximize productivity, or an eight-color expanded gamut mode, which includes the company’s first red ink. The XP-640, he said, includes Roland VersaWorks and Roland DG Connect, which offers access to real-time production data. With these included tools, Willems said the TrueVIZ XP-640 is, “a full-blown production tool.”

Willems also described Roland’s new TY-300, a production-focused direct-to-film printer designed for higher production apparel shops. He says the new system, which can run as a stand-alone or include a dryer/shaker system, finds Roland “entering a new phase of the business.” The TY-300, he said, offers quality and productivity for higher volume apparel printers, those seeking reliability and low maintenance, and those that desire to “upgrade to the next generation of DTF.” Like the XP-640, the TY-300 includes VerasWorks and DG Connect.

Driving Toward Excellence

Luca Mazzocco, head of partner experience, BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team

Tying directly into the event’s theme of speed, Luca Mazzocco, head of partner experience for the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team, described how, over his three decades in Formula 1, he has seen many changes, including increased safety, greater diversity, stronger technology and engineering, and an increased ability for drivers to be “close to the limit without crossing the line.” He has also witnessed the value of passion and hard work, constant innovation, and the importance of technical partnerships – which BWT Alpine maintains with Roland DG for its branding and car liveries. “In F1,” Mazzocco said, “the margin of victory can be incredibly small. We need to be sure we have the best systems behind us.”

Continuing the BWT Alpine presentation, Ian Goddard, head of technical and innovation partnerships, provided an overview of the racing team’s quest for perfection, which requires a granular, analytical approach to improving both speed and performance. Simply put, he said, “Everything we do is to make the car go faster.” He described continuous efforts toward technical optimization and stressed the importance of people and culture in doing so.

Learning Through Examples

Following the presentations – and a delightful lunch – event attendees were provided with three specific experiences. The first was the opportunity to see the new Roland printers in action, and to see printed results.

Another experience was an opportunity to tour the facilities of the storied Grand Prix circuit, including briefing and media rooms. Sadly, perhaps, the roar of engines was not heard, rendering the track quiet, even peaceful. BWT Alpine’s two cars were on display, insect-like and truly built for speed.

The final experience was a “pit crew challenge,” where attendees were tasked to work as teams to achieve the best time possible to change four tires on a racecar. Though some teams did well, the results demonstrated significant room for improvement and highlighted the choreographed proficiency of professional pit teams.